Grover gets set for 200

Veteran Fremantle defender Antoni Grover will play his 200th AFL match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Grover will become the fifth player to reach the milestone for Fremantle – following Shane Parker, Shaun McManus, Paul Hasleby and Matthew Pavlich – and the first Indigenous player to notch 200 games in the club’s 17 seasons.

The 31-year-old said his passion and competitive nature had allowed him to achieve longevity in the game after being recruited as a rookie in 1999.

“I never like to be beaten but I like to give my all for the club and for me personally,” he said. “I guess that’s something that comes from within.

“I don’t enjoy losing, so the last month hasn’t been as enjoyable, but I enjoy coming down to the club and walking through the doors every day. That’s the main thing.”

Grover’s milestone game is a must-win for Fremantle if the club is to keep its slim finals hopes alive following last Saturday’s 31-point loss to Carlton at Patersons Stadium.

Midfielder David Mundy, who has missed seven games with a leg injury, is set to return against the Kangaroos, with Adam McPhee also available after serving a one-match suspension.

The Sydney Swans’ surprise loss to Richmond in round 21 has kept Fremantle mathematically alive, but Grover said every game would be cut-throat between now and the finals.

“Personally [I was] very flat Saturday night after the game, obviously Essendon had won,” he said.